HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE FUTURE OF TEXAS--REGISTER BY OCT. 7 & VOTE IN THE NOV. 5 TEXAS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ELECTION

Austin, TX - Texas voters will decide issues important to the future of Texas in the Nov. 5 Constitutional Amendment Election. In order for your voice to be heard and counted, you must be registered to vote by Oct. 7 for this election.

"The Nov. 5 ballot includes propositions on funding for water projects, property tax exemptions, reverse mortgages for seniors, sanctions for judicial misconduct, and filling city council vacancies," according to Linda Krefting, Chair of the League of Women Voters of Texas Education Fund. "It will be up to those who vote to decide whether any of the 9 propositions on the statewide ballot become part of the Texas Constitution."

The nonpartisan LWV-Texas Education Fund Voters Guides for the Constitutional Amendment Election with the ballot language, an explanation, and balanced arguments for and against each proposition plus helpful information on the new photo ID requirement and other aspects of voting are available in English and Spanish at www.lwvtexas.org and www.VOTE411.org.

To register to vote, contact the voter registrar in your county or download and mail by Oct. 7 the voter registration application at https://webservices.sos.state.tx.us/vrapp/index.asp. Voter registration applications can also be found at many post offices, libraries, and Texas DPS offices.

Once a voter is registered, the registration remains in effect unless the voter has moved. Voters can check their voter registration by calling their county voter registrar or searching "Am I Registered" at www.sos.state.tx.us or www.VoteTexas.gov.

Early voting is from October 21 to November 1. Voters can vote at any county location during early voting. Election Day is November 5 with polls open from 7 am to 7 pm.

Texas now requires voters to show photo ID at the polls. IDs that can be accepted include: one of four Texas Department of Safety (DPS) issued photo IDs (driver's license, personal ID card, concealed handgun license, and election identification certificate) or one of three United States gov­ernment issued photo IDs (passport, military ID card, US citizenship or naturalization certificate). The photo ID must be current or expired no more than 60 days. Other photo IDs, including student IDs and employment IDs, cannot be accepted at the polls.

Those unable to vote in person during early voting or on election day can apply for a ballot by mail by contacting the county elections office or by downloading the application from http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/pol-sub/5-15f.pdf. The completed application must be received (not postmarked) by Oct. 25. Photo ID is not required to vote by mail.

The nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Texas Education Fund (LWV-TEF) encourages informed and active participation in government and works to increase understanding of major public policy issues. LWV-TEF never supports or opposes candidates for office or political parties. LWV-TEF provides objective information in Voters Guides and VOTE411.org that voters need to understand voting requirements and cast an informed ballot.